Podcast · 541 episodes
The Indicator from Planet Money, page 2
by NPR · English
A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less. Sign up for our newsletter. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including bonus episodes for Planet Money and sponsor-free listening for The Indicator.
All episodes, page 2
Coyote vs. Acme finally gets its big breakThe long, unusual path to release for the animated/live-action hybrid film Coyote vs.27 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 3 chapters
What Mark Cuban REALLY thinks of Medicare for AllEconomics and trade-offs of Medicare for All—especially cost honesty, fraud assumptions, and hospital/provider impacts—plus calls for transparency and incremental reforms.26 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 6 chapters
Medicare for All is not Medicare for AllThe episode explains what “Medicare for All” would mean in practice, contrasts it with today’s Medicare, and weighs economic and innovation tradeoffs.25 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 5 chapters
Could politics put your city's funding at risk?The episode examines whether proposed changes to federal grant rules could make city funding more political and less secure, including mid-project cutoffs and limits tied to “agency priorities” and…24 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 6 chapters
EV sales slow, US Treasury yields grow, 'Niu Lai' has impressive box office mojoThe episode covers three “Indicators of the Week”: EV sales, U.S. Treasury yields, and the Chinese box-office hit “Niu Lai.” EVs: North American EV sales fell 27% year over year since last July,…21 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 4 chapters
Is bankruptcy really all that bad?The episode argues that “bankruptcy” is often misunderstood: most filings are personal, not just big business failures, and bankruptcy is a legal tool for debt and stress relief—not a permanent label.20 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 3 chapters
Have a bad manager? Science explains why.Why “bad managers” happen and how science can predict good management. Guest: David Deming, labor economist and dean at Harvard College.19 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 5 chapters
Trump versus Capital OneWhy banks shut down accounts, including anti-money-laundering (AML) investigations and “debanking” for political/reputational reasons, and how this relates to the Trump Organization’s legal dispute…18 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 3 chapters
Did you know companies can vote in Delaware?The episode examines whether non-human entities can vote in Fenwick Island, Delaware.17 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 4 chapters
Retiree benefits bump, credit repayment slump, and a dating app in the dumpsThe episode of NPR’s Planet Money “The Indicator” covers three news-linked numbers: a Social Security benefits bump, worsening credit card repayment, and Bumble’s decline.14 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 4 chapters
C is for C-shaped economyThe episode debates whether the U.S. economy is “K-shaped” (rich getting richer while poor get poorer) or has shifted to a “C-shaped” pattern.13 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 5 chapters
Consumers are mad as hell and aren't gonna take it anymoreConsumer rage in the U.S.—record complaint levels, falling satisfaction, and why customers feel “ripped off,” including corporate profit focus, junk fees, customer-service hurdles, and less value for…12 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 3 chapters
Borrowing money to invest! What could go wrong?Margin trading and leveraged ETFs can amplify losses when markets fall, forcing investors to sell or add cash, potentially worsening crashes. U.S.11 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 3 chapters
Why is Trump paying to stop wind farms?The Trump administration is paying energy companies billions to cancel offshore wind projects, including a $129 million Duke Energy buyout for a North Carolina project, and broader buyouts totaling…10 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 4 chapters
I'm just here for the health benefits“Job lock” in the U.S.—how employer-provided health insurance keeps workers from quitting, switching careers, or starting businesses, even when they want to.7 Aug 2026 · 8 min · 4 chapters
Following the Chipotle playbook for the cyclospora crisisThe episode explains the U.S. cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, including two Michigan deaths and nearly 2,000 illnesses.6 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 5 chapters
How ending TPS is squeezing workers, businesses and (soon) consumersThe episode explains how ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is squeezing Haitian TPS holders and the U.S. economy.5 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 4 chapters
Why we're short on blood, water and heliumThe episode explains why shortages are worsening for blood, helium, and water, and what can be done.4 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 3 chapters
Who is a music industry plant? And does it matter?The episode investigates “music industry plants” on TikTok/Instagram—music influencers who may be paid by labels or agencies to recommend songs without clearly disclosing it as sponsored.3 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 6 chapters
Mamdani markets, America bets, Gen Z drinksEconomics of NYC Mayor Eric Adams/Mamdani’s proposed government “grocery supermarkets” (30% discount), the scale and growth of U.S.31 Jul 2026 · 9 min · 5 chapters
Trump’s new Truth Social plan: pay $100KThe Indicator (Planet Money) episode examines Trump Media’s proposed Truth Social plan to charge users up to $100,000 for milliseconds-early access to posts, potentially enabling “front-running”…30 Jul 2026 · 9 min · 4 chapters
Even Moore’s law can't save affordable techThe “RAM-pocalypse” driven by AI demand is breaking the expectation that computing improvements keep getting cheaper, challenging Moore’s Law’s affordability angle.29 Jul 2026 · 9 min · 5 chapters
You had housing questions. An economist answered them.Why the U.S. housing market feels stagnant—especially how high mortgage rates, inflation, and a “mortgage lock-in effect” keep both buyers and sellers from moving—plus how housing supply shortages…28 Jul 2026 · 10 min · 5 chapters
Petty! Econ! Grievances!Three “petty” restaurant-related economic grievances and the logic behind them: slow restaurant checkout/payments, menu prices excluding tax, and a Dunkin’ Rewards loyalty mismatch at an airport.27 Jul 2026 · 8 min · 3 chapters